Chain restaurants we miss

By By AUBREY COHEN

on February 4, 2013 10:09 AM

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Image 1of/26

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 26

It's common to nostalgically recall the mom-and-pop eateries of times gone by. But what about chain restaurants that also were key players in many of our childhoods and have since gone burger up? Here are a few that we remember, starting with Howard Johnson's restaurant. less

It's common to nostalgically recall the mom-and-pop eateries of times gone by. But what about chain restaurants that also were key players in many of our childhoods and have since gone burger up? Here are a few ... more

"HoJo's" traces its roots trace back to a small, orange-roofed soda fountain in Massachusetts, where "Howard Johnson invented a secret formula for the most delicious chocolate and vanilla ice cream ever" around 1925, according to the company's official history. The popularity of his ice cream led to franchises, which eventually included restaurants and hotels, with orange roofs, of course, although not on this now-departed restaurant in New York's Times Square. less

"HoJo's" traces its roots trace back to a small, orange-roofed soda fountain in Massachusetts, where "Howard Johnson invented a secret formula for the most delicious chocolate and vanilla ice cream ever" around ... more

Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Images

"HoJo's" traces its roots trace back to a small,... Photo-4137731.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 3 of 26

There are reportedly just two Howard Johnson's Restaurants left: in Lake Placid, N.Y. (shown here) and Bangor, Maine.

There are reportedly just two Howard Johnson's Restaurants left: in Lake Placid, N.Y. (shown here) and Bangor, Maine.

Photo: Howard Johnson’s Restaurant

There are reportedly just two Howard Johnson's Restaurants... Photo-4137732.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 4 of 26

Speaking of restaurants named after their founders, the Roy Rogers chain was once popular throughout the Northeast. But Roy Rogers didn't start the chain. Marriott Corp. did, choosing the actor as its namesake "because Roy personified the honest, wholesome image desired for the Roy Rogers brand, and the West's reputation for good beef and 'down home cooking,'" according to the corporate history. less

Speaking of restaurants named after their founders, the Roy Rogers chain was once popular throughout the Northeast. But Roy Rogers didn't start the chain. Marriott Corp. did, choosing the actor as its namesake ... more

Photo: Newkai/Wikimedia Commons

Speaking of restaurants named after their founders, the Roy Rogers... Photo-4137723.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 5 of 26

Roy Rogers dwindled from a peak of more than 650 restaurants to around 50. Kenneth Gould Sr. (right) and son Ken Gould Jr. owned the Roy Rogers in La Plata, Md. from 1983 to 2007, when the developer who owned the property evicted the restaurant to make way for a Walgreens pharmacy. less

Roy Rogers dwindled from a peak of more than 650 restaurants to around 50. Kenneth Gould Sr. (right) and son Ken Gould Jr. owned the Roy Rogers in La Plata, Md. from 1983 to 2007, when the developer who owned ... more

Photo: The Washington Post, Washington Post/Getty Images

Roy Rogers dwindled from a peak of more than 650 restaurants to... Photo-4137940.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 6 of 26

In November 2012, Roy Rogers returned to La Plata, Md., opening a new restaurant near the old location.

In November 2012, Roy Rogers returned to La Plata, Md., opening a new restaurant near the old location.

Believe it or not, there were two restaurant chains named after entertainers named Rogers. Country musician Kenny Rogers and former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown, Jr., created the Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken restaurant, once featured on "Seinfield," opening the first one in Coral Gables, Fla. in 1991. less

Believe it or not, there were two restaurant chains named after entertainers named Rogers. Country musician Kenny Rogers and former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown, Jr., created the Kenny Rogers Roasters ... more

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd., WireImage

Believe it or not, there were two restaurant chains named after... Photo-4137725.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 8 of 26

The company expanded to more than 1,000 outlets before closing most of them and filing for bankruptcy in 1998. Nathan's Famous Inc. bought the restaurants and was then itself bought by Malaysia's Berjaya Corp. in 2008. The last remaining U.S. Kenny Rogers Roasters is in Ontario, Calif. The rest are in Asia, including this one in the Philippines. less

The company expanded to more than 1,000 outlets before closing most of them and filing for bankruptcy in 1998. Nathan's Famous Inc. bought the restaurants and was then itself bought by Malaysia's Berjaya Corp. ... more

Photo: FoxLad/Wikimedia Commons

The company expanded to more than 1,000 outlets before closing most... Photo-4137724.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 9 of 26

Burger Chef was born in 1954 in Indianapolis, Ind. and once had more than 1,000 locations. Here's a Burger Chef in Dayton, Ohio in 1962.

Burger Chef was born in 1954 in Indianapolis, Ind. and once had more than 1,000 locations. Here's a Burger Chef in Dayton, Ohio in 1962.

Photo: Northridge Alumni Bear Facts/flickr

Burger Chef was born in 1954 in Indianapolis, Ind. and once had... Photo-4137737.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 10 of 26

The last Burger Chef closed in 1996, although many of its buildings remain, with different uses. This Speedway, Ind. restaurant was the site of the unsolved "Burger Chef Murders," in 1978, which left four employees dead. less

The last Burger Chef closed in 1996, although many of its buildings remain, with different uses. This Speedway, Ind. restaurant was the site of the unsolved "Burger Chef Murders," in 1978, which left four ... more

Photo: Xnatedawgx/Wikimedia Commons

The last Burger Chef closed in 1996, although many of its buildings... Photo-4137738.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 11 of 26

Marie Callender's is known for its more than 30 types of pie.

Marie Callender's is known for its more than 30 types of pie.

Photo: COURTESY

Marie Callender's is known for its more than 30 types of pie. Photo-3121964.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 12 of 26

But the chain closed 65 outlets, including all three in Washington, after declaring bankruptcy in 2011. In fact, the Federal Way Marie Callender's abruptly closed, booting out some diners mid-meal.

But the chain closed 65 outlets, including all three in Washington, after declaring bankruptcy in 2011. In fact, the Federal Way Marie Callender's abruptly closed, booting out some diners mid-meal.

Photo: Getty Images

But the chain closed 65 outlets, including all three in Washington,... Photo-3757774.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 13 of 26

The first Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour opened in Portland, Ore., in 1963. The company expanded to 58 restaurants by 1971, when Marriott bought it. Marriott expanded it to 130 locations before selling to a San Francisco investment group in 1985, according to a corporate history. The investors changed it to a traditional family style restaurant, and nearly all locations closed by 1990. less

The first Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour opened in Portland, Ore., in 1963. The company expanded to 58 restaurants by 1971, when Marriott bought it. Marriott expanded it to 130 locations before selling to a San ... more

Photo: Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants

The first Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour opened in Portland,... Photo-4137728.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 14 of 26

A new company took over in 1996, with the aim of going back to the old style. After legal fights, the company started expanding. "You will once again step back in time over 100 years to see servers dressed in pin-striped vests, old fashioned ties, and cane hats," according to the company. less

A new company took over in 1996, with the aim of going back to the old style. After legal fights, the company started expanding. "You will once again step back in time over 100 years to see servers dressed in ... more

Photo: Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants

A new company took over in 1996, with the aim of going back to the... Photo-4137729.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 15 of 26

Lum's, founded in 1956, was once a mighty hot dog empire, with 400 outlets and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Swiss holding company Wienerwald Holdings A.G. reportedly bought Lum's in 1978, but declared bankruptcy in 1982. There are two Lum's left. less

Lum's, founded in 1956, was once a mighty hot dog empire, with 400 outlets and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Swiss holding company Wienerwald Holdings A.G. reportedly bought Lum's in 1978, but ... more

Lum's, founded in 1956, was once a mighty hot dog empire, with... Photo-4137739.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 16 of 26

The suburban Chi-Chi's chain of Mexican (sort of) restaurants grew to more than 200 locations in the 1990s, and was the setting for a "Saturday Night Live" skit featuring Darrell Hammond as Al Gore and Will Ferrell as George W. Bush on Dec. 16, 2000. less

The suburban Chi-Chi's chain of Mexican (sort of) restaurants grew to more than 200 locations in the 1990s, and was the setting for a "Saturday Night Live" skit featuring Darrell Hammond as Al Gore and Will ... more

A series of bankruptcies weakened the chain before the largest hepatitis A outbreak in U.S. history struck in 2003, killing at least four and sickening more than 650 in Pennsylvania. Here's a shuttered Chi-Chi's in Alexandria, Va. less

A series of bankruptcies weakened the chain before the largest hepatitis A outbreak in U.S. history struck in 2003, killing at least four and sickening more than 650 in Pennsylvania. Here's a shuttered ... more

Photo: Nostaljack/Wikimedia Commons

A series of bankruptcies weakened the chain before the largest... Photo-4137727.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 18 of 26

The first Swensen's Ice Cream opened in San Francisco in 1948. The company expanded to 400 locations before scaling back.

The first Swensen's Ice Cream opened in San Francisco in 1948. The company expanded to 400 locations before scaling back.

Photo: David Paul Morris, Getty Images

The first Swensen's Ice Cream opened in San Francisco in 1948.... Photo-4137734.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 19 of 26

Swensen's U.S. locations are now in California, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada and Texas. There are also Swensen's in Thailand (shown here), India, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Colombia. less

Swensen's U.S. locations are now in California, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada and Texas. There are also Swensen's in Thailand (shown here), India, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, ... more

Photo: Sry85/Wikimedia Commons

Swensen's U.S. locations are now in California, Florida,... Photo-4137736.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 20 of 26

Sambo’s Restaurant was founded in 1957 by Sam Battistone and Newell "Bo" Bohnett, thus the name. But the chain embraced its association with the racially tinged book "The Story of Little Black Sambo." The chain grew to 1,117 restaurants in 47 states by 1981. Today, only the original, in Santa Barbara, Calif., remains. less

Sambo’s Restaurant was founded in 1957 by Sam Battistone and Newell "Bo" Bohnett, thus the name. But the chain embraced its association with the racially tinged book "The Story of Little Black Sambo." The ... more

Photo: Antandrus/Wikimedia Commons

Sambo’s Restaurant was founded in 1957 by Sam Battistone and... Photo-4137742.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 21 of 26

Walgreens, founded in Chicago in 1901, once was known for its busy lunch counter.

Walgreens, founded in Chicago in 1901, once was known for its busy lunch counter.

Photo: Ralph Crane, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Walgreens, founded in Chicago in 1901, once was known for its busy... Photo-4137740.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 22 of 26

Walgreens is now the nation's largest drugstore chain, with more than 8,000 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, but no lunch counters.

Walgreens is now the nation's largest drugstore chain, with more than 8,000 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, but no lunch counters.

Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Walgreens is now the nation's largest drugstore chain, with... Photo-3006070.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 23 of 26

F.W. Woolworth was the nation's biggest icon when it came to lunch counters.

F.W. Woolworth was the nation's biggest icon when it came to lunch counters.

Photo: Martin Forstenzer, Getty Images

F.W. Woolworth was the nation's biggest icon when it came to... Photo-2002191.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 24 of 26

A series of sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., in the 1960s led to the chain reversing its policy of racial segregation in the Southeast.

A series of sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., in the 1960s led to the chain reversing its policy of racial segregation in the Southeast.

Photo: Donald Uhrbrock, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

A series of sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in... Photo-4137741.56254 - seattlepi.com

Image 25 of 26

The company closed its remaining stores, including the lunch counters, in 1997.

The company closed its remaining stores, including the lunch counters, in 1997.

The company closed its remaining stores, including the lunch... Photo-2531870.56254 - seattlepi.com